Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine最新文献

{"title":"The shifting dynamics of plant and mushroom foraging in Kashmir.","authors":"Muhammad Manzoor, Mushtaq Ahmad, Syed Waseem Gillani, Muhammad Abdul Aziz, Andrea Pieroni, Muhammad Waheed, Amir Sohail, Abeer Hashem, Khalid F Almutairi, Elsayed Fathi Abd-Allah","doi":"10.1186/s13002-025-00805-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-025-00805-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In the mountainous region of Kashmir, wild food plants (WFPs) are vital to traditional food systems and security. Ethnic communities possess rich foraging practices; however, current sociocultural and environmental impacts may affect the transmission of local plant knowledge among younger generations. This study explores traditional foraging practices and provides a cross-cultural analysis of five groups: Gujjar, Bakarwal, Lone, Syed, and Mughal. It investigates gender-based knowledge, intergenerational dynamics of local plant knowledge, and WFP knowledge among various age groups.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data were collected from 191 informants through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions from March to September 2024. Factor analysis was conducted to analyse perceived threats to WFPs, and a Venn diagram illustrating WFP consumption patterns across groups was created using OriginPro and R software.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 63 species were recorded, including 11 fungal species and 52 WFPs. The analysis revealed diverse consumption patterns, with the Gujjar group consuming the most at 59 species, while the Bakarwal group used only 20. Three distinct wild food plant-based ingredients not previously mentioned in the literature were identified: Lagotis cashmeriana (Bakarwal), Fagopyrum cymosum, and Armillaria mellea (Gujjar). The gender-based knowledge analysis shows that women possess more extensive knowledge about WFPs than men, as they frequently engage in harvesting, consuming, and preparing these plants. Participants aged 18-35 accounted for 21.99% of the knowledge and reported on 19 WFPs, primarily from the Gujjar and Bakarwal groups. Cultural transformation among communities has impacted the core body of knowledge, historically transmitted through storytelling during gatherings and events. However, sociocultural changes have affected social structures, impacting the sharing of traditional plant knowledge.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The commodification and mobility of food ingredients have altered local practices, particularly in preparing Dryopteris, Diplazium, Pteridium, and Morchella. Preserving biocultural heritage and promoting sustainable foraging practices can enhance economic growth, food security, and rural development by safeguarding plant knowledge and encouraging commercial cultivation.</p>","PeriodicalId":49162,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine","volume":"21 1","pages":"58"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12379522/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144976011","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ethnobotanical uses of plants in Nigeria: an analysis of current research trends and patterns.","authors":"Basirat O Rafiu, Abiodun O Omotayo, Ibraheem O Lawal, Adeyemi O Aremu","doi":"10.1186/s13002-025-00788-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-025-00788-y","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;The ethnobotanical landscape in Nigeria reflects a complex interplay of biodiversity, cultural traditions, and health practices deeply rooted in indigenous knowledge. However, the fragmented body of knowledge in the existing limited inventory poses a threat to the loss of these plants and the associated indigenous knowledge. This review examined the historical and cultural uses of plants, as well as their long-term utilisation patterns.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;Using a systematic search, the Web of Science, Scopus, and Dimensions were explored to gather ethnobotanical literature on utilisation of plants in Nigeria from 1964 to 2024. In addition, bibliometric tools were applied to establish the research trends and patterns.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;From the 79 eligible studies, we collated 963 plants across 144 families (dominated by Fabaceae with 127 plants) utilised in seven categories namely medicinal/healthcare, spiritual, cosmetics, biopesticides, poison, timber, and fuelwood. An estimated 11% (103) of the 963 plants were classified as popular, with mentions ranging from 11 to 42 times, and the three top cited plants were Carica papaya (42), Vernonia amygdalina (42) and Mangifera indica (41). Most of the identified notable plants (e.g., Azadirachta indica, Carica papaya, Mangifera indica, and Vernonia amygdalina) had significant geographic and cultural relevance. The spiritual, medicinal, and socio-economic roles of these plants were intricately influenced by ethnic identities, ecological zones, and religious beliefs. Cross-regional and cross-cultural analyses revealed that the Southwest and Northeast regions accounted for the highest (70.98%) and lowest (10.28%) prevalence of plant use in Nigeria. Generally, plant utilisation patterns varied across regions, with certain shared uses identified thereby highlighting inter-ethnic connections, while others revealed localised traditions. We identified 19 plants (e.g., Azadirachta indica, Mangifera indica, Vachellia nilotica and Ximenia americana) that were common to the six regions in Nigeria. Bibliometric analysis revealed that the evolution of plant research in Nigeria, from traditional knowledge to more specialised molecular and applied research methodologies. We defined three distinct timelines associated with ethnobotany in Nigeria entailing the initial phase associated with the fundamental period (1964-1989), expansion and growth with shifting focus in research (1990-2009) which was followed by the modernisation and integration (2010-2024).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion: &lt;/strong&gt;Ethnobotanical research in Nigeria remains active, reflecting the extensive uses of plants to meet the daily needs of local communities. Nonetheless, challenges persist, including insufficient documentation of indigenous practices, limited collaboration, instances of non-adherence to best practices in ethnobotanical surveys. Addressing these challenges is crucial for the sust","PeriodicalId":49162,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine","volume":"21 1","pages":"57"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12369106/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144976003","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"What affects the sustainability of a non-timber forest product value chain? A case study of an endemic palm harvested by local communities in Brazil.","authors":"Ilana Araujo-Santos, Karen A Kainer, Fernando Grenno, Alexandre Schiavetti","doi":"10.1186/s13002-025-00800-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-025-00800-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Traditional harvest of non-timber forest products (NTFP) offers an economic alternative to local communities by providing income without significantly altering current land use while reinforcing deeply rooted local knowledge. Analyzing NTFP value chains helps understand the actors, relationships, stages, and sustainability of these products. This study focuses on the piassava palm (Attalea funifera Martius), examining its value chain structure, social and economic indicators, and sustainability challenges.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Our study focused on communities in the Environmental Protection Areas of Pratigi and Tinharé-Boipeba in Bahia, Brazil. We examined five local communities involved in piassava harvesting, using semi-structured interviews and participant observation to gather data on actor roles, socioeconomic aspects, and sustainability issues, like economic vulnerabilities, social challenges, and environmental threats. Using a mixed-methods approach-combining semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and quantitative descriptive analysis-we investigated the roles of key actors, relationships, and threats within the piassava value chain. Findings were analyzed using content analysis and basic statistical measures to understand the social, environmental, and economic dimensions of sustainability.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We observed diverse stages, actor roles, and final products in the piassava value chain, identifying three primary raw materials: fibers, leaves, and fruits. Four main stages were noted: harvest, transportation, fiber separation, and product sales, with ecotourism emerging as a potential stage in the value chain analyzed here. The piassava value chain's structure varies based on the materials and products involved, with key actors being harvest workers, partitioners, roofing artisans, and handicraft artisans. Respondents identified 20 threats to the piassava value chain, categorized into economic, social, and environmental issues, with the most cited being the scarcity of harvest workers, lack of interest among young people, and deforestation, respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our results suggest policy recommendations for reconciling social, economic, and ecological aspects. These include promoting community-based tourism as a complementary income source. Recognizing and disseminating piassava value chain outcomes as sociobiodiversity products, for example, strengthening legal and commercial frameworks to certify piassava products, or encouraging investment in local processing infrastructure to enhance value addition and market access. Finally, the results analyzed here underscore the importance of including local perspectives in discussions and highlight the need for further research to evaluate strategies for sustainable community forest management.</p>","PeriodicalId":49162,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine","volume":"21 1","pages":"56"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12369070/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144975969","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Traditional ecological knowledge and practices in Zimbabwe: medicinal ethnobotany and ethnozoology among communities in Chipinge district.","authors":"Justice Muvengwi, Alfred Maroyi","doi":"10.1186/s13002-025-00809-w","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13002-025-00809-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Traditional medicine is integral to the culture of the Ndau ethnic group in Chipinge district, Zimbabwe. Traditional healers use a wide range of plant and animal products to treat various ailments, and there is need for documentation and sustainable practices to preserve these resources for future generations and pharmaceutical potential. This study was aimed at documenting the medicinal ethnobotanical and ethnozoological knowledge of traditional healers in Chipinge, identify the species used, and assess the role of traditional healing practices in supporting healers' livelihoods.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Between December 2018 and March 2019, data were collected from 22 traditional healers using semi-structured questionnaires focusing on medicinal species, their uses, harvesting or collection methods, and their socioeconomic impacts. Plant voucher specimens were identified at the National Herbarium of Zimbabwe (SRGH) in Harare, and identities of animal species were confirmed by participants through use of images in the Mammals of Southern Africa field guide. Informant consensus factor (ICF) and use reports (Nur) were calculated to assess agreement among healers.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Majority of participants (73.0%) attributed their knowledge to ancestral callings, while 27.0% had received mentorship. A total of 63 plant species from 31 families were documented, with roots (38.0%) and bark (33.0%) being the most commonly used parts. Of the ten vertebrate species reported, nine were mammals and one was a reptile. Ninety-five percent of the healers reported the local unavailability of some medicinal plant species. For plant-based remedies, the highest ICF (0.67) was recorded for AIDS-related infections and ulcers, while STDs had the most use reports (87). For animal-based treatments, AIDS had the highest ICF (0.8), followed by STDs (0.6), which also had the most use reports (11). The high use of traditional remedies for STDs and AIDS may reflect issues of stigma, accessibility, and trust in conventional health care, underscoring the need for culturally sensitive health education and integrated care approaches. Monthly incomes ranged from US$150 to US$600, with most clients coming from low-income local communities.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study highlights the rich ethnopharmacological knowledge in Chipinge while underscoring challenges such as overharvesting and socioeconomic vulnerability. Sustainable harvesting and formal recognition of healers through national bodies like the Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association (ZINATHA) are essential steps toward integrating traditional medicine into modern health care and preserving this vital cultural heritage.</p>","PeriodicalId":49162,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine","volume":"21 1","pages":"55"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12355894/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144856881","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ethnobotanical study of wild and semi-wild edible plants in Yeki district, Sheka Zone, Southwest Ethiopia.","authors":"Ashebir Awoke, Yared Siyum, Girma Gudesho, Fetku Akmel, Kiros Shiferaw Abate","doi":"10.1186/s13002-025-00810-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13002-025-00810-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Wild and semi-wild edible plants (WSWEPs) play a critical role in sustaining rural livelihoods by contributing to food security, nutrition, traditional medicine, and cultural identity. In Yeki District, Sheka Zone, Southwest Ethiopia Region, Ethiopia, where diverse ethnic groups coexist, these plants remain integral to local diets and health practices. However, factors such as agricultural expansion and urbanization threaten their availability, highlighting the need for comprehensive ethnobotanical documentation and sustainable management.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study employed a cross-sectional ethnobotanical survey conducted from November 2023 to August 2024 across five purposively selected kebeles. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, market surveys, and guided field walks involving 175 informants. Plant specimens were collected, identified, and documented following standard taxonomic references. Quantitative analyses, including preference ranking, direct matrix ranking, and statistical tests (t-tests, ANOVA), were applied to assess knowledge variations and threats.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 74 WSWEP species belonging to 34 families were identified, with herbs being the dominant growth form and fruits the most frequently used edible parts. Significant knowledge differences were observed based on gender, literacy, ethnicity, and informant experience. Agricultural expansion and urbanization were identified as the primary threats. Consumption modes varied, with 46% eaten raw and others (54%) prepared by boiling or cooking. Some plants required careful processing due to mild adverse effects reported during consumption.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>WSWEPs in Yeki district are vital for nutrition, health, cultural heritage, and environmental sustainability. Conservation efforts, community education, and policy integration are essential to safeguard these resources. Further research into their nutritional and pharmacological potential could enhance their sustainable use and value.</p>","PeriodicalId":49162,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine","volume":"21 1","pages":"54"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12335779/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144812611","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Divine thus good, devilish thus bad? Folk linguistic perceptions about plants and their characteristics in Polish folklore.","authors":"Olga Kielak","doi":"10.1186/s13002-025-00787-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13002-025-00787-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>According to folklore, some plants are created by divine beings and holy persons, while others appear on earth through demonic intervention. It is commonly believed that plants of divine origin are \"good\" plants, useful to humans, while plants of devilish origin are \"bad\" and not useful.</p><p><strong>Aim of the study: </strong>This article analyses folk beliefs regarding the origins of selected plants, identifies which of them are considered to have a divine origin and which a demonic one, and examines whether the perceived divine or demonic origin of a plant influences its usefulness or harmfulness to humans.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This article first compares folk beliefs regarding the origins of selected plants, identifies their divine and demonic origins, and then evaluates the characteristics of these plants (edible/inedible, desirable/undesirable in cultivation, used in folk medicine, used in rituals, blessed throughout the year, used in apotropaic practices, associated with the devil/used in black magic). The aim is to determine whether there are any correlations between these characteristics and the plants' divine or demonic origins.</p><p><strong>Results and discussion: </strong>The analyses carried out have shown that a given plant's divine or devilish provenance does not determine its usefulness or lack thereof, because in popular folkloristic imagery about plants we can find many characteristics that \"escape\" the sharp division into \"good\" and \"bad\" plants. Plants whose origin in folk imagery is associated with the activity of divine agents are edible plants, desirable to man, commonly used in (annual and family) rituals and in folk medicine, while plants associated with the devil are plants that are often poisonous, harmful, dangerous, stinging and prickly, undesirable as crops and classified as weeds, representing a dwelling place for forces hostile to man on the one hand, yet used in an apotropaic capacity on the other. At the same time, \"devilish\" plants were sometimes eaten as famine food, blessed and used in folk medicine, while \"divine\" plants, treated as weeds, were considered the abode of demons and used in black magic.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study shows that the divine or devilish provenance of plants can be interpreted as information about the source of a plant's power-either divine or devilish. The article provides new insights for research on the perception of plants in Polish folk culture and also helps to promote Polish ethnolinguistic studies within the international academic discourse.</p>","PeriodicalId":49162,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine","volume":"21 1","pages":"53"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12291273/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144718924","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Plural and commoning? Forecasting four scenarios for ethnobiology and ethnomedicine by 2035.","authors":"Andrea Pieroni, Mousaab Alrhmoun, Naji Sulaiman","doi":"10.1186/s13002-025-00804-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13002-025-00804-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The accelerating erosion of traditional and local ecological and medical knowledge (LEK) systems is increasingly evident in the Global North and across many less marginalised regions of the Global South. This decline is primarily driven by overarching forces, i.e. globalisation, internalised coloniality created worldwide and over decades by non-rural leading classes, and, most remarkably, by a profound detachment from continuous, embodied interactions with nature. At the same time, sustainability-driven agendas and the expanding role of AI in science and daily life intertwine challenges, opportunities, and a few risks for ethnobiology and ethnomedicine in the coming decade. This editorial proposes four plausible scenarios for the evolution of these disciplines, navigating the intricate cobwebs of LEK loss, resilience, adaptation, and, most importantly, trying to open new horizons in the current problematic times. These scenarios are intended to inspire further theoretical and primarily further empirical engagement in the field, alongside a call to urgently foster commoning practices and innovative educational platforms for (re)experiencing LEK.</p>","PeriodicalId":49162,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine","volume":"21 1","pages":"46"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12291476/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144709672","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"From forgotten to frontier: vindicating Latin America's indigenous biotechnology.","authors":"Francisca Villanueva-Flores, Igor Garcia-Atutxa","doi":"10.1186/s13002-025-00808-x","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13002-025-00808-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study provides a critical reassessment of indigenous Latin American biotechnologies, uniquely integrating ethnographic, historical, and biochemical analyses to reveal their scientific sophistication and contemporary potential. It examines ancestral practices historically overlooked or marginalized, such as microbial fermentation in traditional beverages (masato, pozol, and pulque), medicinal and nutritional uses of plant mucilages, and natural encapsulation methods using clays and plant-derived polymers. We demonstrate that these indigenous biotechnological systems represent more than ethnographic curiosities; they are early examples of empirical technologies anticipating fundamental principles now central to probiotics, encapsulation pharmacology, and sustainable agriculture. By spotlighting previously under-documented practices and emphasizing their deep cultural and ecological integration, this review fosters a more inclusive understanding of scientific knowledge. It underscores both the ethical and epistemological imperative to recognize and incorporate indigenous innovations into contemporary scientific frameworks. This novel perspective not only recovers and revalues historically marginalized knowledge but also promotes intercultural collaboration, ultimately strengthening sustainability and modern biotechnological innovation.</p>","PeriodicalId":49162,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine","volume":"21 1","pages":"52"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12288233/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144700194","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cultural significance and conservation challenges of the hooded vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus) and other vulture species in northeastern Benin.","authors":"Fidèle Ezéchiel Koffi Hounnouvi, Jemima Lydie Obandza-Ayessa, Stanislas Mahussi Gandaho, Lindy Jane Thompson","doi":"10.1186/s13002-025-00806-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13002-025-00806-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>West Africa remains the stronghold for Critically Endangered hooded vultures (Necrosyrtes monachus) and other species of vulture, but these populations are declining. Since anthropogenic threats pose the greatest risks to vultures, it is crucial to understand people's perceptions of these birds, and their ethno-cultural significance, in areas surrounding national parks to inform conservation policy through an understanding of cultural values and practices.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We used semi-structured interviews to collect data from 450 respondents in nine localities near three protected areas in northeastern Benin: Sota Forest, Trois Rivières Forest, and Alibori Supérieur Forest.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The findings showed that 80% (n = 360) of participants had encountered vultures in the past three years, with the hooded vulture being the most frequently observed vulture species (98% of sightings). We found significant gender-based differences in people's awareness and perceptions of vultures, with men demonstrating greater awareness and more positive perceptions of vultures' roles in carcass disposal and locating missing livestock. Overall, 60% (n = 270) of respondents associated vultures with superstition and witchcraft. Most respondents (70%, n = 315) reported using vulture brains and bones for spiritual and medicinal purposes. Intentional poisoning was the most frequently reported cause of vulture population declines (70%, n = 315). Conservation measures suggested by survey respondents included the protection and restoration of critical nesting habitats (86%, n = 386, raising awareness about threats to vultures (84%, n = 378), equipping ecoguards to safeguard and monitor vulture nests (65%, n = 344), breeding vultures in captivity (60%, n = 270), and enforcing strict penalties for illegal vulture hunting (55%, n = 247). Younger adults (aged 18-30) showed significantly greater support for conservation efforts than older adults (aged > 30).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>There is an urgent need for a multidimensional approach to vulture conservation in Benin. This approach should integrate awareness campaigns, population monitoring, better enforcement of environmental legislation, and improved habitat conservation to reverse the declines of these critical species.</p>","PeriodicalId":49162,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine","volume":"21 1","pages":"51"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12281755/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144683534","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Reflections on the future of European ethnobiology.","authors":"Victoria Reyes-García, Doyle McKey","doi":"10.1186/s13002-025-00803-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13002-025-00803-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In recent years, ethnobiology has undergone significant transformation. A renewed research framework has emerged that prioritizes an ethics of care-one that emphasizes relationships, interdependence, and responsibility towards both human and non-human others throughout all stages of research. This paradigm shift, led largely by Indigenous scholars and researchers from the Global South, invites European ethnobiologists to critically reflect on how they can engage with, contribute to, and learn from these evolving approaches in light of pressing environmental and social challenges. In this Perspective, we explore the future of European ethnobiology in two main ways. First, we reflect on the specificities of a European lens within global ethnobiology, considering how European ethnobiologists might participate more meaningfully in transdisciplinary and intercultural dialogues. Second, drawing on core principles of the emerging global paradigm, we outline five key avenues for future development: (1) deepening commitments to an ethics of care; (2) responding more directly to contemporary challenges; (3) expanding research contexts; (4) reimagining methodological approaches; and (5) enhancing the societal relevance and applied impact of European ethnobiologists, both within and beyond Europe. We highlight current examples of European ethnobiologists already advancing these directions and underscore the field's dynamic evolution. We conclude by identifying critical challenges faced by European ethnobiologists, including the need to engage with rapidly evolving digital technologies and to navigate institutional and epistemic barriers that hinder the co-creation of knowledge across diverse worldviews.</p>","PeriodicalId":49162,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine","volume":"21 1","pages":"50"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12281988/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144683535","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}